Immunity (CongressionalGlossary.com)

From the Congressional Glossary – Including Legislative and Budget Terms

Immunity

Faire 2007.6, by anoldent
Faire 2007.6, by anoldent

(1) The constitutional privilege of members of Congress (Article. I. Section. 6.) to make verbal statements on the floor and in committee for which they cannot be sued or arrested for slander or libel. Also, freedom from arrest while traveling to or from sessions of Congress or on official business. Members in this status may be arrested only for treason, felonies or a breach of the peace, as defined by congressional manuals.

(2) In the case of a witness before a committee, a grant of protection from prosecution based on that person’s testimony to the committee.

Also see Congressional Ethics; Contempt of Congress; Oversight; § 8.70, Congress and the Executive: Oversight and Investigation, § 8.75, Committee Investigations and Witness Protections, in Congressional Deskbook; Chapter 8. E. Congressional Oversight in Congressional Procedure.

 


What is congressional immunity?

 

More

 
 

Courses

 
 

Publications


Testifying Before Congress

Testifying Before Congress


Pocket Constitution

Pocket Constitution


Citizen's Handbook to Influencing Elected Officials

Citizen’s Handbook to Influencing Elected Officials: A Guide for Citizen Lobbyists and Grassroots Advocates


Congressional Procedure

Congressional Procedure

 
 

CongressionalGlossary.com, from TheCapitol.Net






For more than 40 years, TheCapitol.Net and its predecessor, Congressional Quarterly Executive Conferences, have been teaching professionals from government, military, business, and NGOs about the dynamics and operations of the legislative and executive branches and how to work with them.

Our custom on-site and online training, publications, and audio courses include congressional operations, legislative and budget process, communication and advocacy, media and public relations, testifying before Congress, research skills, legislative drafting, critical thinking and writing, and more.

TheCapitol.Net is on the GSA Schedule, MAS, for custom on-site and online training. GSA Contract GS02F0192X

TheCapitol.Net is now owned by the Sunwater Institute.

Teaching how Washington and Congress work ™

Select publications from TheCapitol.Net